Professional Secrecy
Definition
Professional secrecy is the ethical and legal obligation of a doctor not to disclose information acquired during professional attendance on a patient.
Information Covered
- Diagnosis
- Treatment details
- Medical records
- Personal information
- Examination findings
Exceptions to Professional Secrecy
Disclosure is permitted or required in certain situations:
- With patient's consent — express consent or implied consent.
- Requirement of law — court order, statutory reporting.
- Public interest — certain communicable diseases, threat to society.
- Medicolegal cases — cases requiring legal reporting.